And yesterday (Saturday) Cheryl Cole made an equally spectacular return to the UK version of the show arriving with Gary Barlow at the judge's house stage of the competition.

The pair were pictured arriving by helicopter at the vast Boughton House estate in Northamptonshire and judging by Cheryl's beaming smile she was more than happy to be back.

She's back! Cheryl Cole arrived at the X Factor yesterday (Saturday) accompanying Gary Barlow to his judge's house. The pair made quite the entrance in a helicopterThe Call My Name singer, 29, looked ready for business in a monochrome ensemble and high heels.

The outfit consisted of a T-shirt shaped blouse and a pencil skirt, with both items having black panels down to the side, to create an optical illusion and a more streamlined shape.

Cheryl finished off her look with a high bun on top of her head, oversized sunglasses and plum-coloured lips.

Chopper at the ready: The pair were seen arriving at Boughton House in Northamptonshire where Gary is hosting the contestants in his category

Not a bad way to travel: The pair were seen arriving on the manicured lawn

Gary, who scooped a GQ Men of the Year Award on Tuesday, opted for a striped blue T-shirt, a pair of stone-coloured trousers and grey shoes.

Cheryl is on hand to help Gary chose his acts for the live stages of the show and will help him whittle down the contestants.

The Girls Aloud singer has plenty of experience in this department, Cheryl was a judge on the show from 2008 until 2010 before accepting a role on the first series of the US version of the show.

Glad to be back? Cheryl was seen beaming as she made her way inside

Winning team? Cheryl has picked two X Factor winners in the past, but will she be able to help Gary claim victory in this year's show?

But she was axed after just three weeks and was left humiliated.

Gary, 41, is said to have tried to conceal his mentour choice from X Factor boss Simon Cowell.

The plans were so cloak and dagger that Barlow went to the extent of making people believe that Robbie Williams would be he surprise mentor.

An X Factor source told The Sun newspaper: 'Only Gary’s intimate inner circle know. He hasn’t even discussed it with Simon or ITV bosses. It’s been seriously top secret stuff.

'They’re all under the impression it’s going to be Robbie. No one even noticed the dates for the recording clashed with Robbie’s new solo tour.'

Old pro: The Call My Name singer was on the X Factor from 2008 to 2010 before she left to join Simon on the US version of the show

Gary apparently got Cheryl to agree to the show as the two stars relaxed over a drink following their duet at the Buckingham Palace concert he organised in June for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Cheryl recently told Jonathan Ross that although she is in contact with Simon, they are far from being friends.

She said: 'I do talk to him every now and again. We're frenemies.'

The Under The Sun singer will not be the only big name to join the show at the later stages.

Soulful star Ne-Yo will help out Nicole Scherzinger and the Boys during her stop in Dubai, and Tinie Tempah will team up with Tulisa and the Girls in the Caribbean.

Louis Walsh, who is mentoring the Bands, will be joined by ex-judge Sharon Osbourne in Las Vegas.